07022021-TT-01.qxd 2/6/2021 10:59 PM Page 1 123 chandigarh | gurugram | jalandhar | bathinda | vol.141 no.37 | 16 pages | ~6.00 | regd.no.chd/0006/2021-2023 established in 1881  himachal pradesh AHEAD OF MC POLL, CM WOOS THE ELDERLY, NGOs HIMACHAL /thetribunechd RESOLUTE FACE OF LUDHIANA INC SPECTRUM NO POLICE NOD, NADDA FLAGS OFF RALLY IN WB BACK PAGE /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com sunday, february 7,2021 ‘Chakka jam’ affects Pb, Hry, R’sthan Protests in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maha too| Emergency services unimpeded New Delhi/Chandigarh, Feb 6 Amid stepped up security, protesters on Saturday blocked key roads in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan while scattered demonstrations were held in several other states during the three-hour ‘chakka jam’ called by farm unions agitating against the Centre’s new farm laws. Punjab observed a neartotal bandh with traffic blocked at 350 places. In Haryana, toll plazas emerged as key protest sites. In Rajasthan, farmers at Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Dholpur and Jhalawar stalled traffic on highways. In Ghazipur, farmers’ leader Rakesh Tikait declared the protest on Delhi’s outskirts would continue till October 2 and efforts made to “connect every village” with the agitation. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana parked their tractor-trailers or squatted on roads. Some perched atop tractors hoisted the Tricolour at the KMP Expressway. Commuters were politely requested to turn back. In Punjab, ambulances and other emergency services were unimpeded. Protesters at roundabouts, including Chandigarh, carried placards, posters and flags of IN BRIEF Arrest warrant issued against LeT chief NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Saturday issued an arrest warrant against Lashkar-eToiba (LeT) chief and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed in a money laundering case related to terrorfunding in J&K. — PTI Constable injured in militant attack SRINAGAR: Militants on Saturday opened fire at a CRPF team in the Chanapora area, injuring constable Manoj Kumar Yadav, an official of the paramilitary force said. INSIDE Faridkot man shoots 2 children, himself FARIDKOT: A 35-year-old contractor with the PSPCL allegedly killed his two children and injured his wife before turning the gun on himself here on Saturday. He was in financial distress.— TNS HP to make sheep rearing profitable DHARAMSALA: The Himachal Govt is committed to the welfare of the Gaddi community and will initiate schemes for making sheep rearing profitable, CM Jai Ram Thakur said on Saturday. — TNS Farmers block the Shambhu highway during their ‘chakka jam’ protest against the three farm laws in Patiala on Saturday. PTI PROTEST TILL OCT 2, SAYS TIKAIT Our protest on Delhi’s outskirts will continue till October 2. Farmers will return only after the govt repeals the laws and makes a law to ensur guarantee for MSP. ❝ R-DAY ROUTE: TWO LEADERS SUSPENDED Panipat: Two leaders have been suspended for straying from the route for the R-Day tractor march. Sources said the joint forum of 32 Punjab farm unions had suspended Surjit Singh Phool, president, Bharatiya Kisan Union-Krantikari, and Harpal Singh Sangha, Azad Kisan Committee, Doaba. INSIDE New Delhi, February 6 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday praised the judiciary for using information technology, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, for enhancing “ease of justice” for common litigants. “It is a matter of great pride that our Supreme Court has heard the highest number of cases via video-conferencing among all the SCs of the world,” the PM said while virtually addressing the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Gujarat High Court. Praising the dedication of the judiciary during the pandemic, the PM said, “This ease of justice is enhancing not only the ease of living, but also the ease of doing business. Foreign investors are feeling more confident about the safety of their judi- SC Judge hails Modi as ‘visionary leader’ AHMEDABAD: JUDICIAL RIGHTS Due to the ease of justice, foreign investors are feeling confident about the safety of their judicial rights. ❝ Narendra Modi, PRIME MINISTER cial rights. The World Bank has also praised the National Judicial Data Grid.” He said ease of justice got a new dimension by e-filing of Allow peaceful protests, Net access: India Caucus Tribune News Service kisan unions as well as the national flag. Farm unions along with Khet Mazdoor Union members blocked the Sirsa-Barnala highway in Mansa. The Mansa-Patiala highway near Bhikhi and the Mansa-Ratia highway at Budhlada too were blocked.The protesters raised slogans, demanding that Internet services and basic amenties at the protest sites on Delhi borders be restored, police cases against farmers cancelled and youths arrested post Red Fort incident be released. In Amritsar, the “chakka jam” call received a huge response with students and shopkeepers in large numbers expressing continued on page 6 Apni Party wins two of Greta ‘toolkit’ probe three DDC chief posts revealed a lot: EAM Srinagar, February 6 The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP), led by former Finance Minister Altaf Bukhari, has won the elections to the post of chairperson of two of the three District Development Councils (DDCs), sources said. The elections to the posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson were held in three districts of the Valley — Srinagar, Shopian and Kulgam — in the first phase on Saturday. The JKAP would be heading the DDCs in Srinagar and Shopian, while the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declara- ROOTED IN HISTORY Altaf Bukhari 1 FOR GUPKAR ALLIANCE ■ The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party will head the DDCs in Srinagar and Shopian ■ The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration will head Kulgam development council tion (PAGD) — the amalgam of six mainstream political parties — would head the DDC in Kulgam. INSIDE NewDelhi, February6 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today indicated the Centre would further probe the case registered against unknown persons for uploading on social media a “toolkit” on how to support farmers’ protests. “It (probe) has revealed a lot… will have to wait and see what else comes out,” Jaishankar said in Vijayawada on the sidelines of a BJP meet. “There was a reason why the Foreign Ministry reacted to statements by some celebrities on matters they did not know much about,” he said. ❝ India has deployed troops in large numbers to meet the challenge posedbyChina amassing troops on the border. S Jaishankar, EAM Climate activist Greta Thunberg was among Twitter users who shared the toolkit, but deleted the tweet later. — TNS ‘Farmer on tractor’ most desired symbol ■ 30-year-old England skipper Joe Deepkamal Kaur Root on Saturday became the first batsman to smash a double hundred in his 100th Test ■ 2nd captain after Australia’s Sir Don Bradman to score over 150 runs in three Tests in a row ■ Achieved the feat in 1st Test against India in Chennai. Tribune News Service BACK PAGE LARGE DEPLOYMENT TO MEET CHINA CHALLENGE Jalandhar, February 6 The most sought-after symbol in the upcoming civic body elections in Punjab is “a farmer riding a tractor”. Given the huge support the farmers’ protest against the three farm laws is getting from the state, a large number of Independent candidates have opted for “farmer on tractor” as their poll symbol. They are of the view that see- Bid to cash in on farmers' stir by Punjab civic poll candidates ing a symbol where a farmer is riding a tractor, many undecided voters are likely to press that button to express their solidarity with the farmers. In Mohali, the entire group of 28 candidates backed by former Mayor Kulwant Singh has chosen the “farmer on tractor” as its symbol, said Surinder Singh Roda, a candidate from Ward No. 3. In Adampur, 12 candidates have opted for it. A group of Congress-backed candidates, including rebel Akali brothers Darshan Singh Karwal and Harjinder Singh Karwal, too, have taken this symbol. Darshan Karwal said: "At least two wards in Adampur have a very high number of voters from the farming community. continued on page 6 Tourists flock to snow-clad Shimla hills, hoteliers rejoice Bhanu P Lohumi BITING COLD Tribune News Service Shimla, February 6 Heavy snowfall in Shimla and its adjoining areas has proved a boon for the sagging tourism industry. With a surge in the tourist arrival, the hotel occupancy has increased to over 80 per cent. “The occupancy is likely to increase further during the weekend,” said Sanjay Sood, president, Shimla Hotel and Restaurant Association. A large number of tourists PM:Foreign investors feel their rights secureowing to courts PLACE MINIMUM TEMP KEYLONG - 13.7° C KALPA - 6° C MANALI - 2.4° C KUFRI - 0.7° C SHIMLA 1°C DALHOUSIE 1.1°C People walk on a snow-covered street in Shimla on Saturday. PTI also visited Kufri, which saw a sunny day today. Meanwhile, normalcy returned to the popular hill station after it witnessed a heavy snowfall on Thursday. Traffic was resumed on all main roads in Shimla and its upper areas, Theog, Rampur and Kumar- sein, said Deputy Commissioner Aaditya Negi. At least 294 roads were, however, still closed to traffic and power supply remained erratic at many places as 639 transformers were yet to be repaired. The maximum 116 roads were blocked in Lahaul and Spiti district followed by 85 in Shimla. The restoration work was in full swing and most of the roads were likely to be opened in the next 48 hours, the DC said. New Delhi, February 6 Congressman Brad Sherman, co-chair of the India Caucus, the largest country-specific group in the US House of Representatives, has urged the Indian Government to ensure the norms of democracy were maintained, protesters were allowed to protest peaceably and had access to the Internet. Sherman said he had convened a meeting with his other Republican Co-Chair Congressman Steve Chabot and Vice-Chair Congressman Ro Khanna to speak with India’s Ambassador to the US, Taran- Co-chief Sherman had opposed K-mediation jit Singh Sandhu, regarding the farmers’ protests. “All friends of India hope the two sides can reach an agreement,” he said. His observations came despite two statements put out by the Ministry of External Affairs detailing the government’s stand. Sherman, who supported India on many issues, has opposed some decisions taken during Modi 2.0 such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). But in December last year, continued on page 6 Justice MR Shah of the Supreme Court described PM Modi as a “visionary” leader. “Privileged to participate in the diamond jubilee celebrations of Gujarat HC… in the presence of our most popular, loved, vibrant and visionary leader, PM Narendra Modi,” Shah said. Last year, Justice Arun Mishra’s praise for PM Modi at an event had raised eyebrows. Justice Mishra, now retired, had described Modi an “internationally acclaimed visionary”. — PTI cases, Unique Identification Code and QR code for cases, which led to the setting up of the National Judicial Data Grid. — TNS SUSAN SARANDON TWEETS SUPPORT Susan Sarandon, Hollywood veteran who won the Best Actress Oscar, is the latest international celebrity to tweet in support of the Indian farmers. WON’T BE SILENCED, SAYS MEENA HARRIS Meena Harris, niece of Kamala Harris, has again tweeted support for the farmers. “Won’t be intimidated and silenced,” she said. ACTIVISTS BEHIND BARS, UNIONS WRITE TO UNHRC Farmers’ unions have written to the UNHRC’s India head seeking intervention for the release of arrested activists.